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Tuesday, 6 November 2012

Review: Almost Charlie – Tomorrow’s Yesterday

Almost
Charlie – Tomorrow’s Yesterday(Words On Music)

Almost Charlie is a collaboration between Berlin
singer-songwriter / multi-instrumentalist Dirk Homuth and New York City
songwriter Charlie Mason. They released an album in 2009 (“The Plural Of Yes”)
and “Tomorrow’s Yesterday” is there brand new collection. The transatlantic duo
has yet to meet face to face.

It’s probably for the best. These things usually end
in tears so the less contact they have with each other the better, and
hopefully they’ll make lots more records just as good as this one - and this
one’s a charmer from start to finish. Considering their complete lack of
Britishness, “Tomorrow’s Yesterday” seems to be seeped in ‘60s and ‘70s British
influences, from McCartney powered Beatles and Colin Bluntstone’s “One Year” to
Nick Drake’s half-whispered gentleness and Ray Davies whimsy; and if you’re
looking for a contemporary comparison, then Neil Hannon’s Divine Comedy is as
good as any.

They begin with “Hope Less” and set their stall out
immediately. Lush harmonies abound, the tune will have to be surgically removed
– I’m booked in for Thursday week - and we’re only three minutes in. Their
songs are beautifully catchy, but they’re matched by the arrangements, Homuth’s
teasing voice and the sheer diversity and multiplicity of the instrumentation. Indeed,
a quick count-up reveals over a dozen devices being strummed, plucked, stroked
and banged, and let’s not forget the choir.

To put it simply, if classic songwriting and pristine
pop performances are your thing, meet your new favourite band.